Centene Corp vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.93 (market cap $32.05B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $293.65 (market cap $173.99B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is far larger — about 5.4× Centene Corp's market cap, and Union Pacific Corporation pays a 1.94% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.05B | $173.99B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $307.32 |
52-Week Low | $26.17 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $21.10B | $203.04B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.94% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Centene (CNC) trades at $66.56, up 1.2% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $71.00. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings of $2.51 per share, beating estimates, and raised its full-year EPS guidance, reflecting margin recovery and cost discipline. Revenue growth remains robust, projected to reach $202.9 billion in 2026, though net income margins are negative due to elevated medical costs.
The stock presents a value opportunity with low P/E (8.06) and P/S (0.16) ratios, but investors face risks from Medicaid membership volatility and regulatory pressures. Analyst sentiment is strongly bullish (61% buy ratings), with institutional interest growing, as seen in recent fund additions. Near-term upside is likely if cost controls sustain profitability improvements.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $292.24, down 0.3% on the day, with a neutral technical signal. The company reported strong Q2 2026 results, beating EPS and revenue estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Fundamentals remain robust with a net income margin of 28.85% and ROE of 39.7%, though valuation ratios like P/E of 23.71 are elevated. Recent news highlights a 3% dividend increase and ongoing merger developments with Norfolk Southern.
The outlook is positive, driven by service-led growth, pricing power, and efficiency gains. Key opportunities include domestic intermodal expansion and margin improvement. Risks involve high fuel costs, regulatory scrutiny of the merger, and economic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $334.33 price target, suggesting significant upside from current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Centene is a managed-care organization focused on government-sponsored healthcare plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the individual exchanges. Centene served 22 million medical members as of September 2021, mostly in Medicaid (68% of membership), the individual exchanges (10%), Medicare Advantage (6%), and the balance in Tricare (West region), correctional facility, and international plans. The company also serves 4 million users through the Medicare Part D pharmaceutical program.
Read more on CNC →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →